Southwest High School is a public high school in San Diego, California, United States. It was established in 1975. It was built on the site of a small railroad yard owned by the Southern Pacific Railroad along the original San Diego鈥揟ijuana line.
Serving 1,586 students in grades 9-12, Southwest Senior High School ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in California for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 8% (which is lower than the California state average of 34%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 47% (which is equal to the California state average of 47%).
The student:teacher ratio of 22:1 is higher than the California state level of 21:1.
Minority enrollment is 92% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is higher than the California state average of 80% (majority Hispanic).
Quick Stats (2025)
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 1,586 students
- Student:Teacher Ratio: 22:1
- Minority Enrollment: 92%
- Graduation Rate: 91% (Top 50% in CA)
- Overall Testing Rank: Bottom 50%
- Math Proficiency: 8% (Btm 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 47% (Top 50%)
- Science Proficiency: 11% (Btm 50%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), CA Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Southwest Senior High School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in California for:
Category
Attribute
Percent Eligible For Free Lunch
School Overview
Southwest Senior High School's student population of 1,586 students has declined by 10% over five school years.
The teacher population of 71 teachers has declined by 14% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
Total Students
1,586 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
71 teachers
Year Founded
1975
Colors
Red, Gold
School Calendar
School Rankings
Southwest Senior High School ranks within the bottom 50% of all 9,523 schools in California (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Southwest Senior High School is 0.26, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.63. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#6644 out of 9523 schools
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
8%
34%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
47%
47%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
11%
29%
Student : Teacher Ratio
22:1
21:1
American Indian
n/a
1%
Asian
2%
12%
Hispanic
86%
56%
Black
2%
5%
White
8%
20%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
2%
6%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
91%
87%
Eligible for Free Lunch
76%
54%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
11%
8%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), CA Dept. of Education
School Notes
- School Mascot: Raider
Profile last updated: 02/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Southwest Senior High School's ranking?
Southwest Senior High School is ranked #6644 out of 9,523 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in California.
What schools are Southwest Senior High School often compared to?
Southwest Senior High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Montgomery Senior High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
8% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 34% CA state average), while 47% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 47% CA state average).
What is the graduation rate of Southwest Senior High School?
The graduation rate of Southwest Senior High School is 91%, which is higher than the California state average of 87%.
How many students attend Southwest Senior High School?
1,586 students attend Southwest Senior High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
86% of Southwest Senior High School students are Hispanic, 8% of students are White, 2% of students are Asian, 2% of students are Black, and 2% of students are Two or more races.
What is the student:teacher ratio of Southwest Senior High School?
Southwest Senior High School has a student ration of 22:1, which is higher than the California state average of 21:1.
What grades does Southwest Senior High School offer ?
Southwest Senior High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12
What school district is Southwest Senior High School part of?
Southwest Senior High School is part of Sweetwater Union High School District.
In what neighborhood is Southwest Senior High School located?
Southwest Senior High School is located in the Nestor neighborhood of San Diego, CA. There are 4 other public schools located in Nestor.
School Reviews
Review Southwest Senior High School. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Recent Articles

The 15 Biggest Failures of the American Public Education System
The world is in a constant state of change and those who fail to adjust fall behind. Unfortunately, the American public education system has not kept up with the times and is currently facing a number of serious problems. Keep reading to learn about the biggest failures affecting the modern U.S. public education system as well as some of the trends that could spark change.

Florida Governor Calls for More Funding for State鈥檚 Public School System
Florida Governor Rick Scott has introduced a state budget for next year that pumps one billion more dollars into the public school system. We鈥檒l look at his reasons for the increase and the responses to the proposal.

Can Your Child鈥檚 School Meet the National Standards?
The article discusses the challenges public schools face in meeting national educational standards. It examines current performance trends, identifies key issues affecting student achievement, and explores potential solutions for improving academic outcomes across U.S. public schools.